Leading a Book Discussion Group

In some discussion groups, each member is asked to come with a question or an observation about the book.

One of the first things to be decided is whether one particular person
will always perform the role of leader, or whether the duty will be
shared, and what the rotation will be. Will every person in the group
be asked to lead a discussion? Will the responsibility be shared by two
or three people? Will one leader perform the role for a pre-determined
time period such as six months or one year? Once that is established,
the following suggested guidelines may help to make your discussions
thought provoking.
Prior to the discussion, the leader or some other group member may want
provide participants with biographical information about the author and
reviews of the book to be discussed. An author interview, in printed or
audio format, can be very helpful in getting inside the author's head.

Historical information about the time period or factual information
about an actual event or occurrence central to the story may be
helpful. For example, if readers were discussing John Tayman's The
Colony, a nonfiction work about the treatment of lepers in Hawaii,
research on the disease of leprosy could help readers grasp the
devastating effects of the illness and the subsequent fear that
triggered public reaction. Likewise, if readers were going to discuss
Freshwater Road by Denise Nicholas, the fictional story of a young
civil rights worker in 1964 Mississippi, factual information about
Freedom Summer and attempts to register black voters could help readers
get a perspective on the times. A librarian can help one of your
discussion members find this type of information in books, magazines
and newspapers, via the Internet and in its online databases. Be sure
to ask for assistance!

As you read the book, select passages of interest that might serve
as springboards for discussion. Mark the pages with paperclips or
post-it notes so you can find them quickly when you are with the group.

Sit in a circle or around a large table to enable eye contact and set a conversational mood.

Start out by introducing yourself and having each participant do the
same. This is an especially good thing to do if new people are present.

Don't begin a discussion by asking whether or not everyone liked the
book. A strong positive or negative response might intimidate someone
who holds the opposite opinion. Generally, it's better to ask questions
that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" answer.

Disagreeing is fine. Different viewpoints often spark the most
interesting discussions. The discussion leader should, however, not let
disagreements become out of hand or personal. The leader might jump in
and validate both opposing viewpoints, ask for a comment from someone
else, or pose a new question.

Examples of a lead question might include, "What were your feelings
about the main character?" or "Using one word, how would you describe
this book?" or "Were the events and people believable in this story?
Were they meant to be?" The discussion leader may want to open by
reading a passage from the book or a quote from a review and then
inviting comments.

Other questions that could be raised during the discussion:

"What did you think of the writer's style? Does the author write like anyone else you have read?"

"Did you learn something from the book about the time period, an event, or the human condition?"

"Did the book peak your interest in the subject?"

"Could you identify with any of the characters? Were any of them like you or like someone you know?"

"What was the central theme of the book? Were there multiple themes or premises?"

"Did the author have a message? Was there a character or circumstance that revealed the author's point of view?"

"Was there anything about the book that was shocking, disturbing, or made you feel uncomfortable? Was this good or bad?"

"Did
the book change a previously held point of view that you had? Did it
make you aware of something new or bring you to a higher level of
understanding about something?"

"Was there something unique about this book that made it different from any other book you have read before?"

If the book was a work of nonfiction, some additional questions might be:

"Were there any surprising facts in the book?"

"Did the author make the subject interesting?"

"Did
the author address opposing viewpoints and was he or she fair in the
treatment of the subject?" "Do you agree or disagree with things the
author said based on personal experience or other things you have read?"

Have fun. Set aside some time before or after the meeting to be
sociable so members don't feel the need to "catch up" during the
discussion time.